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Leptospirosis
A fatal case of this disease occurred in September. The man
concerned was employed in a Crematorium in a neighbouring borough.
At the inquest the death was attributed by the coroner to an
industrial disease contracted through work.
Hong Kong Influenza
In early February information was received from a local factory
of a number of cases of illness, some of which had enteritic symptoms.
It was at first thought that the illness might be due either to food or,
as the factory processes involved the use of chemicals, possibly to
fumes; but investigation showed neither of these to be responsible.
Nose and throat swabs from the later cases were sent for bacteriological
examination and in one case a Hong Kong variant of the influenza A2
virus was isolated.
Scarlet Fever
There was a small outbreak of scarlet fever among children in the
Council's 'half-way' accommodation at Durnsford Court. Ten cases
in all were confirmed, the outbreak being short-lived.
Dysentery in Day Nurseries
Early in February information was received from one of the
Authority's two Day Nurseries that a number of the children were
suffering from diarrhoea. Routine investigation revealed that 19 children
and one member of the staff were, in fact, infected with sonne
dysentery. Follow up investigation into the families of the children
concerned brought to light a further 12 cases. More than 430
specimens had to be taken before the last child was cleared for return
to the Nursery on 25th March.
On 13th May it was found that a cleaner at the second of the
Authority's two Day Nurseries had been suffering from gastro-enteritis
and a faecal specimen from her on 14th May proved positive for
sonne dysentery. On the same day one child at the nursery had loose
stools and three suffered from sickness. These were all excluded and
two specimens were obtained from all children and from the staff.
Results showed one child to be positive and family investigation
brought to light two further cases. Everyone was cleared within a
week, with the exception of this last family, who remained infectious
until late June. The total number of specimens taken was 165.
Gastro-Enteritis in a Mother and Baby Home
In late April and early May there was a small outbreak of gastroenteritis
at a Mother and Baby Home in the area. Three babies of
four weeks or less were affected and specimens were taken from the
staff and residents. All results proved negative and the outbreak was
over within a fortnight. An inspection of the Home in the early stages
of the investigation revealed some defects in procedure which were
put right.
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